Warning: This article contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who has died.
A man accused of shooting dead three people, including his pregnant ex-partner, in the NSW central west yesterday was on bail for alleged domestic violence charges, police have confirmed.
Julian Ingram, 37, also known as Julian Pierpoint, is wanted on an outstanding warrant for alleged murder and is still on the run.
“The [alleged] offender was on police bail initially, three days later he went before the court, and the court saw fit to continue the police bail,” Assistant Commissioner Andrew Holland told media.
He said Ingram had not previously breached the bail conditions prior to the alleged shooting, which he deemed a domestic-violence-related incident.
“All the victims appear to be related to the offender,” he alleged earlier today.
Holland also confirmed Ingram had never had a gun licence, with police working to find out how he allegedly came to have a firearm.
Holland said the last known sighting of Ingram, who is believed by police to be “armed and dangerous” was on a road outside of Lake Cargelligo.
“We are concerned about the local villages,” he said.
“He has gone to those locations before.”
Holland said there were 100 police officers searching for the alleged offender.
“There is police on almost every corner of Lake Cargelligo at the moment.”
How the shooting unfolded
Emergency services were called to Bokhara Street in Lake Cargelligo at about 4.30pm yesterday.
Police found a 25-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man in a vehicle, both with gunshot wounds.
They were both treated but died at the scene.
They have since been named as Sophie Quinn, Ingram’s ex-partner, and her friend John Harris.
Quinn was heavily pregnant and was due to give birth in March, it has been confirmed.
Quinn and Ingram separated last year, the family has told 9News.
Quinn’s mother Cathy told the Sydney Morning Herald her daughter had “not a mean bone in her body”.
Police also responded to a second shooting at Walker Street in the same town.
A 50-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man had been shot in the driveway of a home.
The woman, who has been named as Sophie’s aunt Nerida Quinn, died at the scene, while the man was taken to Canberra Hospital in a serious but stable condition, where he remains.
9news.com.au has chosen to not identify the 19-year-old man.
Both crime scenes are being forensically examined.
One neighbour, Letitia, said when she and her sister heard the shots, she couldn’t believe it was gunfire.
She said it was “surreal” for this to happen in the close-knit community.
“Everyone knows everyone here. And they were great people. I mean, nobody deserves this, but especially not them,” she said.
She said the community was coming together, with offers of support for the bereaved emerging from all corners, despite the fear of the gunman still on the loose.
“Our community will be here for each other, but it’s going to take time I think to even realise what happened,” she said.
Ingram is described as about 165cm-170cm tall, of medium build, with short dark hair, and brown eyes.
He was last seen driving a Ford Ranger ute with NSW plates DM 07 GZ.
The ute is described as having council signage, a metal tray back, high visibility markings on the side, and an emergency light bar on the roof.
People in the town are being asked to remain inside if possible and “exercise caution” if outside.
Anybody who sees Ingram is urged not to approach and contact Triple Zero immediately.
Anybody with information in relation to his whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
Additionally, anybody in the Lake Cargelligo area who may have footage or images relevant to the investigation is asked to upload it here.
Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
